Kettle to Keg proprietor Jesse Mertz knows what it’s like to enter into the world of homebrewing.
One day – many moons ago – Mertz was also a budding homebrewer in need of guidance. He lived through the early trials and tribulations of brewing and wanted to ensure every beer maker had someone to lean on. That’s why he opened his shop in 2005 and moved to its current and larger location on Main Street in Pembroke two years later. It’s also why he puts so much time into helping beer connoisseurs get the right equipment and ingredients from day one.
“We try to coach people through the proper upgrade path,” said Mertz. “Our No. 1 goal to give people a good experience.”
Mertz has seen all levels of homebrewers walk through his doors. And over time, he has developed a system in how to best prepare each one for the next step. When it comes to starting out, Mertz, a member of the Concord Area Homebrewers, has a simple approach, and it should be the same for a new brewer.
“You don’t need a big fancy kettle,” said Mertz. “There’s always toys and upgrades that can streamline your brewing day and make it easier.”
He will point them to one of the two starter kits he stocks in the store. Both provide all the necessary tools to get started, including two storage containers – one for fermentation and the other with a spigot for bottling – as well as a bottle capper, bottle filler, thermometer and hydrometer. The only big difference is the price; one also comes with a glass carboy instead of a plastic five-gallon bucket.
“The big benefit of glass is that it’s easier to sanitize and it’s cool to watch the science side of it,” said Mertz. “Seeing what the beer is doing allows you to better time things.”
Outside of what comes with the kit, a new brewer would only need a stock pot (any normal kitchen one will work). Beer can be created right on your stove top, but Mertz also has burners available for outdoor brewing.
“You’re looking at about 90 bucks worth of equipment,” said Mertz. “It doesn’t take up a ton of space and you can use it right in your kitchen.”
From there, Mertz recommends picking up one of the True Brew Home Brewing Kits.They not only contain all the necessary ingredients, but also take a lot of the guesswork out of brewing.
“They’re packed fresh to order,” said Mertz of the kits. “But you can always modify or tweak them.”
He also makes himself available by phone and email for questions that may arise and he sure gets a lot of them.
“We’re kind of like tech support for the brewing community,” said Mertz.
But Mertz is not just there to provide help for beginners. He has all the bells and whistles for the more experienced brewer. At Kettle to Keg, Mertz has various kinds of grains and hops and dry and liquid malts and can help recreate just about any recipe. And if he can’t, Mertz will research it.
“There’s a lot of synergy between what people buy in the store and what they want to brew,” said Mertz.
Rest assured, Mertz has been in just about any situation when it comes to brewing beer. And he some simple advice.
“It’s as easy or as complicated as you want to make it,” said Mertz.
